Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylolisthesis, adjustment disorder, left knee strain, tinnitus, and right elbow trauma, are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle condition was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disorder, and migraine headaches are all remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

Service connection for a low back disability, right leg sciatic pain, and left leg sciatic pain and paresthesia is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to January 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of low back injury residuals due to inadequate medical opinion regarding nexus between current disability and service. The Veteran's STRs show multiple instances of diagnosed and treated back issues, but a VA examiner found no link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine disorders, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right ankle disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his service and granted service connection for mechanical back pain and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to no more than 60 degrees or incapacitating episodes during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, left upper extremity disorder (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), right upper extremity disorder (claimed as right carpal tunnel syndrome), and major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

Service connection is granted for chronic left knee pain. Service connection is denied for right knee disability, to include osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination reports. The cases are returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 13, 2016. The RO also granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and included it in his existing 20 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lower back condition, heart condition, stomach condition, hypertension, hand condition, and diabetes mellitus. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability due to insufficient development. The issues must be addressed again with new evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for neck injury residuals, headaches, and back disorder have been granted. The claims for right foot toes, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder remain denied.